Lighting fixture



June 23, 1942. w. E. LAIDLEY I LIGHTING FIXTURE Fil-ed Jan. 8, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 1 f June 23, 1942 w. E.ILAIDL,EY 2,287,381

- LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Jan. 8, 1940 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll f llPatented June 23, 1942 LIGHTING FIXTURE William E. Laidley, Chicago,111., assigner to Clarence L. Steber, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 8, 1940, Serial No. 312,885

2 Claims. (01. 24i 81) This invention relates to electrical fixtures,and particularly to electrical fixtures embodying a fluorescent lamp.

An important object of the invention is to provide a lighting fixture,employing a vertically disposed column of light, such as a fluorescentlamp, and the provision of new and improved means for shading andreflecting the light generated by the fluorescent lamp, so as to providethe proper amount of light, but at the same time preventing andovercoming glare.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a lightingfixture having a vertical column of light, there being a plurality ofvertically spaced, cylindricall'y arranged shades to prevent the lightrays generated by the lamp from being cast directly into the eyes of theuser, but to reflect or diffuse the light properly so as to overcomeglare.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a verticallydisposed column of light, having a reflector arranged at one sidethereof to deflect or reflect the light forwardly to the working space,as well as reflecting or deflecting the light downwardly, the same beingaccomplished by a vertically disposed reflector arranged at one side ofthe lamp and a plurality of conical shaped, concentrically arrangedspaced reflectors or shades.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a pluralityof concentrically disposed, vertically arranged shades or reflectors,

cooperating with a vertically disposed column of light, the reflectorshaving their sides converging, the angle of inclination of the verticalsides varying from one end of the lighting fixture to the other, therealso being means provided to effect adjustment of the conical shapedshades.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a verticallydisposed reflector element arranged adiacent a vertical column of light,the reflector having its inner or reflecting surface provided withconcave surfaces so that the light generated by the lamp will beproperly reflected or deflected outwardly about the lamp and will not bereflected back into the light source.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fixture having a sourceof light, such as a fluorescent lamp, wherein the light source is closeto the inner surface of the glass tube, whereby the beams coming to aviewer are transmitted through the glass at a wide angle with respect tothe perpendicular, or normal to the surface at the point of penetration,and the all) width of the surface is along the length of the tube,whereby the light is considerably polarized in the direction ofthelength of the tube.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a light fixtureemploying a fluorescent tube, the fluorescent tube being arrangedvertically so as to overcome glare, as the light source, being setperpendicular to a reflecting surface, such as a horizontal workingplane, will be vertically polarized when it strikes the horizontalplane.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a reflector ordifiusing unit to control the distribution of light from a tubular,gaseous lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp, that will partially or totallyobscure the lamp from view from certain directions, and limit radiationat certain angles, and direct and control the light in other directionsby utilizing direct and reflected, and, if desired, diffused radiationfrom the tube by means of a series of disks or conics,

or a spiral of the same order, placed concentric, or, more properly,symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the lamp tube, and moreparticularly, but not essentially, toarrange these above describedreflecting or diffusing surfaces to use the lamp with its longitudinalaxis in a vertical position with respect to the working plane and tothereby obtain more satisfactory utilization and distribution o light.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout theprogress of the following specification.

The accompanying drawings illustrate selected embodiments of theinvention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail elevational view of a lighting fixture embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a detail elevational view of a modifled form of lightingfixture embodying the invention, and provided with a vertically disposedreflector and means for effecting adjustment of the various shades;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic or schematic view showing one form of reflectorwhich will direct or diffuse the light rays directly into the source oflight;

Fig. 4 is a similar diagrammatic view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, butshowing reflector means for catching and reflecting the light throughoutvarious angles;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a desk lamp embodying the invention,having a plurality of spiral, conic shades concentrically arranged abouta vertically disposed fluorescent lamp,

there being means provided for adjusting the lamp fixture with respectto its base;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing a one-piece spiral reflectorabout a vertically disposed fluorescent tube, the inclination of theshade becoming flatter as they progress up wardly;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, I designates a base to which acable 2, carrying electrical conductors, is operatively connected. Thebase I is provided with a swivel or universal joint connection 3, with amember 4 carried by a vertical column or support 5, whereby the verticalcolumn 5 may be swung throughout various vertical angles with respect tothe base I. The electrical connectors in the cable or conductor 2 makeelectrical connection with a vertically disposed source of light 6,which is preferably a tubular lamp, known as a fluorescent lamp.

A plurality of distorted cone shaped shades I are concentricallyarranged about the lamp 6, and these cone members I have their sidewalls inclining and converging upwardly, the angle of the lowermostmember I being relatively flat, as indicated at 8, while the uppermostmember I has a relatively straight or more vertical angular wall, asindicated at 9. The intermediate members I have the inclination at theside walls increasing to the vertical as they progress upwardly, wherebythe sharpest angle is at the top, while the flattest angle is at thebottom. A cap I is removably connected to the standard 5, beingdetachably connected to the standard by means of a thumb nut or otherfastening element II. The conical shaped members I may be supported inany desired manner and are shown as fixed to the standard 5 .by anyconvenient means, such as by soldering, or otherwise, as indicated atI2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 also shows a plurality of distorted conical shaped shades I, butthe walls I3 thereof flatten as they progress upwardly, whereby thesteepest angle is at the bottom, as indicated at l4, while the flattestangle is at the top, as indicated at I5. The angle of the wallsintermediate the members I4 and I5 incline more to the horizontal asthey progress upwardly. The lowermost shade I, indicated by the numeralI6, Fig. 2, is relatively flat and assumes a shape similar to thatdisclosed as at I5.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the conical shaped shades I areh-ingedly connected to the standard 5 as at I2a, Fig. '7, and anadjusting member I! is provided for tilting the shades I on theirpivots, whereby the forward projecting edges may be tilted. The tiltingmeans I! may comprise a rod or any other element, but is shown hereinspecifically as comprising a chain I8. Connected to the edges of themembers I, as indicated at I9, Fig. 2, the chain extends upwardlythrough the cap I5 and terminates into a control or operating member 20.When the lever or manipulating element is pulled upwardly, the forwardperipheral edges of the member I will be raised upwardly. When themember 20 is released, the member I! will drop to normal position bygravity, although the chain I8 may extend beyond the bottom member, asindicated at 2|, to permit all the members I to be pulled downwardly inthe desired position. The member 20 cooperates with a gressively fromthe bottom to the top. In Fig. 5

latching or holding device to cause the devices to remain in adjustedposition.

The reflector 22 is semi-cylindrical in shape and extends verticallyfrom the base I up to the cap I0, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. If thereflector 22 were made semi-cylindrical, as shown in Fig. 3, with theinner concave surface 23 thereof being in the form of a regular curve,the light expended or radiated from the tube 6 would tend to bereflected back into the tube, and therefore very little reflection orradiation would be reflected back to the working surface. It isdesirable, therefore, that the reflector 22 be provided with an innermultiple curved section 24, Fig. 4. This irregular curved portion 24 maycomprise a pair of concave surfaces 25, terminating or meeting at theapex indicated at 26, Fig. 4. This latter arrangement causes the lightradiating from the light source thus to be deflected throughout variousangles, as indicated by the directional arrows 21, Fig. 4.

The vertical reflector 22 is designed for a cylindrical column of light,such as a fluorescent lamp. It has a curvature so that rays of lightpropagated from any point on the cylindrical source, upon striking thereflector, will be reflected at such an angle that it will not bereturned in a direction to strike any point on the surface of the lampglobe, thereby overcoming the interference and loss of light energy thatwould be inherent in a reflector not designed in this manner. Thecurvature need not be in the specific form indicated, but should be of adesign capable of reflecting the light at an angle and not return in adirection to strike the lamp globe. The curve or inner reflectingsurface 24 may be a spiral, ellipse or compound curve with centers orcurvatures set in a predetermined relationship.

In Figs. 5 and 6, there is disclosed a similar type of lighting fixture,each having a base I, as previously described. The base I may be rigidlyconnected to the standard 5, as shown in Fig. 6, or it may include theswivel connection 3-4, Fig. 5. The vertical fluorescent tube 6 issurrounded by a continuous spiral 3!), Fig. 5, providing a spiraldeflector for the tube 6 and deflecting the light downwardly. In Fig. 5,the angle of inclination of the spiral is relatively flat, as indicatedat 3|, while the angle at the top is relatively straight, as indicatedat 32. The parts of the spiral shade intermediate the parts 3| and 32gradually become more vertical prothe standard 5 is shown positionedexteriorly of the reflector 22, while Fig, 6 shows the reflector 22encasing the standard 5. In Fig. 6, the spiral flattens at the top, asindicated at 34, and becomes steeper toward the bottom, as indicated at35. Therefore, the vertical angle of inclination of the defining sidewalls of the spiral become flatter progressively from the bottom towardthe top.

The conical and spiral reflectors may have a similar curvature indentedon what would be called the rear portion, particularly when they areused in the manner indicated without a rear vertical reflector, and mayhave a large portion of their surface toward the vertical reflector cutaway to permit the vertical reflector to redirect all the rayspropagated in its direction.

The lamp 6, when placed in a vertical position, will cause less glarefrom the working plane, within the vision of the viewer, than whenplaced in a horizontal position. Thus if the light 6 is arranged in ahorizontal position, and a reflector directs the light rays to a planesurface, which may be a desk top, the reflection on the desk top will bean elongated rectangular strip of bright light which, when hitting thesurface, will rebound back in the form of a glare. The entirelongitudinal or horizontal surface of the light member 6 will reboundback at an angle in the form of glare.

Where the light source 6 is in the form of a vertical column, however,there may be an image or reflection but the length of the image will beconsiderably shorter than the height of the vertical column 6, and noglare will occur, as the light will be polarized. At most, only a short,cloudy portion will be apparent. The result is that the light radiatingfrom the vertical tube 6 will rebound back in the form of seeing light.

The radiation of the disks or comics I, or spirals 30, need not be acomplete 360 angle, nor need they be symmetrical for their complete 360of angle. They may include distortions of the curvatures or surfaces ofthe disks, or conics, or spirals, or they may be used in combinationwith surfaces such as a vertical reflector parallel with i thelongitudinal axis of the tube, either of a flat or curved section, tointercept a portion cr all of the illumination radiated in certaindirections about the circumference of the tube and redirect thisradiation into certain other directions where it is more desired.

The present invention is applicable to and intended, among other uses,for desk or work table lighting where it is desirable to shield thedirect light from the eyes of the worker and place the light on theworking plane either in all directions about the lamp, or to direct thelight in some preferred limited direction less than 360 circumferenceabout the lamp, say 180 more or less. The present invention is alsoapplicable to wall or column mounting to place the light in the workingplane in all, or in certain portions of the horizontal circumferenceabout the lamp and to partially or totally shield the lamp from certaindirections; also to mount the lamp perpendicular to the wall and directthe radiation onto the wall or in any other direction. In the case ofceiling mounting, the lamp is placed in a vertical posi= tion with theshades or reflector directing the light rays against the ceiling.

The invention provides more satisfactory illumination than will beobtained over other means, such as horizontal mounting of the tube witha reflector of the ordinary type, for the projected depth ofillumination source is widened and the width narrowed in comparison withthe ordinary type of unit, giving more wide angle distribution from anunequal spherical distribution characteristic of the tube anddiminishing the amount of objectionable reflected glare, and diminishingthe width of angle from which it is directed toward the worker.

When a horizontal circumference or angle is mentioned, it is to beconsidered that the main direction of propagation may be in a directionby some angle below a horizontal working plane, such as a desk, or in aplane at some angle above the circumference, such as a ceiling, etc. Inmost applications, the radiation will be mostly applied to a workingplane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube and removed ineither direction from a central perpendicular plane, along the directionof the longitudinal axis.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of theparts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacriflcingany of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all suchchanges as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A lighting fixture comprising a base, a vertically disposed elongatedcylindrical lighting element mounted on said base, a plurality ofconcentrically arranged, vertically spaced shades about said light andsupported from said base, each shade having upwardly inclined convergingside walls, the angle of inclination of said side walls progressivelyincreasing in one direction, and a unitary curved reflector arranged onsaid base to extend vertically adjacent said tubular element and inpartial surrounding relation with respect thereto, said verticalreflector having a plurality of separate reflecting surfaces arranged toreflect light in directions away from said lighting element.

2. A lighting fixture comprising a base, a tubular fluorescent lamparranged on said base in a vertical position, a support on the baseadjacent the lamp, a plurality of vertically spaced concentric shadesforwardly of the support and arranged around said tubular lamp, eachshade having inclined converging side walls, the angle of inclination ofsaid side walls progressively increasing in one direction, meanspivotally connecting the shades to the support, means operativelyconnected to said shades to adjust said shades on their pivots, and avertical unitary concave reflector mounted on said base behind the lamp,said reflector having a reflecting surface made up of a plurality ofconverging concave surfaces.

WILLIAM E. LAIDLEY.

